I hardly ever do monthly favourite style posts. I thought since April has been quite a bad month for me, that I would try bring some positivity to the end of the month and share with you what some of my favourite things throughout this month have been. I've got a mixture of beauty and lifestyle things to share with you. I hope you enjoy!
I've nearly been blogging for nearly a year now and so far I have loved every moment of it. It's such a fun hobby to have that enables you to grow and develop. You might be reading this and have always been interested in starting up a blog, but never had the courage or never knew if you are 100% ready to start one. On the other hand, you might already be a blogger and you're in need of getting your blogging spark back or a reminder as to why you started. I hope today can help whoever you might be, to see how fun and interesting blogging can be and what it can do for you as a person!
Alongside lipsticks, highlighters have to be my favourite beauty product. I personally feel no make-up look is complete without adding a touch of highlight to my face. I love creating a soft glowy look, that also helps to brighten my face and create dimension. Surprisingly, I only own a select few highlighters. But the ones that I do own are ones of great quality, affordability and stunning colour. Here are some of my current favourites from my collection:
Makeup Revolution - Golden Sugar Ultra Blush Palette (£8) - Top Left Shade:
First off, I hate how this palette doesn't actually have names for the eight shades. It makes it hard for me to try show you what I'm on about. But anyway, one of my favourite highlighters is the top left shade from this palette. This shade is the perfect shade from this blush palette for highlighting. It's a stunning bright pearl colour! Because of how bright it is, it really helps to lighten up any areas that you wish to bring some life to. I personally love applying this to the inner corners of my eyes, to make my eyes pop and also I like to apply this on my cupids bow to give the illusion of fuller lips. Although this highlighter is just as stunning when applied across the cheek bones, down the bridge of the nose and under the brow bone. I believe this palette works great for pale girls, who want to lighten their face and create an extra bit of glow! I have a full review of this palette here.
The cheapest in my collection is this £3 highlighter from MUA. It's not only very affordable, but is also one of great quality. It is a pigmented pearly champagne pink colour. It gives the skin a lovely girly glow, one that I find will suit all skin tones. I love wearing this during the spring and summer months. For being a pink based shade, it is isn't too over the top or overpowering. Although you can easily build this up, if you fancy going for more of a prominent highlight for a night out look. It is also easy to blend due to it's lightweight formula, so if you make any mistakes, there's no need to panic about having to start again. I think this is a great highlighter for any beginners, since's it's purse friendly and really easy to use.
A product that has been featured on my blog probably way too many times already, but one that has soon become a holy grail of mine and one I'm always reaching for. On more of the pricier side (£17.50), Mary Lou Manizer is a product that I am so glad I invested in. It's a gorgeous stunning golden champagne colour with high pigmentation and long staying power. I wear this daily, even though some may find this a little too over powering for everyday wear. But I enjoy using this in my day to day look, because it gives me such a healthy glow and creates great dimension to my face. I honestly couldn't live without this product in my make-up collection! I have a full review of this product here.
What are your current favourite highlighters? Have you tried any of these, if so what are your thoughts on them?
I've always loved reading blog's and I try my best to share enthusiasm, support and feedback to other Bloggers. I like to let them know that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. I'm on starting a new series on my blog called '4 Blogs I'm Currently Loving'. I'm not sure whether this will be a monthly thing or an every few month's type of series. But today I'm going to share some of the blog's that I've really enjoyed reading recently.
dizzybrunette3 aka Corrie:
I've loved reading Corrie's blog and watching her youtube video's for the longest time. She has the most bubbliest and friendliest personality. You can really see her personality shine through her writing, which is always so important. It really helps you to get to know the person behind the blog that little bit better. As well as her blog, her Youtube video's are such an enjoyment to watch. Plus she has the most cutest dog ever! It makes me miss having a dog so much more than I already do. I've particularly loved reading her latest life style posts. She's always so honest and genuine!
Here are some of my favourite posts from her recently:
Jasmine Talks Beauty aka Jasmine:
I came across Jasmine's blog a few months back. Her blog is the one place that I go to check out all things beauty. She always does such in depth reviews of different products and her photography is amazing! I wish I had her make-up collection haha and that I could take photo's as good as her. It's not just how great the quality of the photo's are, it's also how she arranges the products and props in the photo. She really knows how to complete a photo. Also I love her tips and how to posts, they're really informative and she includes such useful tips. Plus she kindly takes the time out from her busy schedule to check out your blog and leave a comment.
Here are some of my favourite posts from her recently:
Through The Mirror aka Caitlin:
Caitlin's blog is one that I came across recently. I've found her blog to be really useful for when it comes to blogging tips and advice. She covers a mixture of different blogging topics, anything that ranges from photography and Instagram to post ideas and Google analytics. They're such helpful posts to read for any type of bloggers, whether you're a newbie or someone who has been blogging for a while. I also think she is 100% real and honest in her writing. Her photography and blog design is so stunning too! I need to know how she gets it to look so good.
Here are some of my favourite posts from her recently:
Thrifty Vintage Fashion aka Nicole:
Another blog that I have come across recently is Nicole's. She followed me on Twitter after one of the bloggers chats. After seeing a few of her posts come up on my timeline, I decided to check some out and strangely a few of them seemed so reletable to the mood I was in on that particular day. It's was pretty strange how fitting it was, but actually really helpful to read some tips and advice that might be able to get me out of the rut I had been in. She shares some really great advice, that is actually helpful and does work. I feel like she really needs more followers and comments than she currently gets.
Here are some of my favourite posts from her recently:
If you haven't already, go check out these blogs and give them some love.
What blogs are you loving at the moment?
You Might Also Like:
Being lazy, chilling out and watching TV shows is probably one of my favourite down time things to do. There's just something so good about snuggling up under a duvet or a blanket, with some snacks and sometimes even a cuddle buddy to watch your favourite series. I'm the typical girl who loves to watch series that involve drama, supernatural, romance etc. So today I thought I would share with you some of my favourite TV shows to watch.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Synopsis:
You probably might already watch a most of these since they're pretty popular within society right now, but if you don't already and unsure of whether to start watching them, I would highly recommend them all to you!!!
source |
GOSSIP GIRL
Synopsis:
It stars Blake Lively and Leighton Meester in the roles of Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, respectively. Narrated by the omniscient yet unseen blogger "Gossip Girl", the series revolves around the lives of socialite teenagers growing up on New York City's Upper East Side who attend elite academic institutions while dealing with friends, family, jealousy, and other issues. -source
This was one of the first TV shows I actually watched and started to get into. I remember first watching a couple of episode's when I was 11 and it was the summer before I was going to high school, it was on one evening and I was just watching it, not really knowing what it was about or anything, just that it was called Gossip Girl and looked pretty cool.
Then like a couple years later when I was a bit older, I started to get back into it and ended up watching the whole 3/4 seasons until I was caught up with where the show was currently at. After that, I remember I use to watch or record the episode's when they aired here in the UK at like 9pm on ITV2 I think it was.
Then I don't remember watching it for a while, but I got back into it when I found out it was on it's last season in 2012 and I was so so so gutted that it was finishing. So again, I ended up watching a few seasons that I had missed and got up to date with where the series was. Therefore, I managed to watch an episode each week up until it finished and I was so sad it was all over. But also so confused at who Gossip Girl actually is, like seriously, I am still not over that one!!!!
The first few seasons are definitely what got me hooked the most with the drama, gossip, romance, hot guys and fashion. By the end of the whole seven seasons, you're going to be wanting your own Chuck Bass in your life, own the whole of Blair Waldorf's wardrobe, you'll learn some great life lessons and want to book the next flight to New York to visit all the set locations from the show.
source |
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
Synopsis:
The series takes place in Mystic Falls, Virginia, a fictional small town haunted and surrounded by supernatural beings such as vampires, werewolves and witches. The narrative of the series follows the protagonist Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) as she falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). As the series progresses, Elena finds herself drawn to Stefan's brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder), resulting in a horrible series of events. As the narrative develops in the course of the series, the focal point shifts on the mysterious past of the town involving Elena's malevolent doppelgänger Katerina Petrova. Katerina was the love of both Damon and Stefan Salvatore many years ago. Her return, along with the family of Original Vampires, have all led to many plots against Elena and Mystic Falls. - source
Vampire Diaries was a series that my Friend, Amy had been persuading me for sooo long to watch. In the end I gave in and I so wish that I had started it sooner. Weirdly, I actually ended up watching this show from Series 3 and then ended up going back to rewatch the other two series at a later date. Now on it's seventh series, I am still just as hooked as I was when I first started watching a couple of years back.
You'll literally end up feeling like you're stuck in the same love triangle Elena is in for the first few seasons, where she is stuck between Damon and Stefan, but for me personally, Stefan wins hands down every time, he's gorgeous and so sweet!!! But having said that, most of the guy's on this TV show are pretty hot and will have you glued to your TV screens.
Aside from the obvious romances, the show is obviously also has a supernatural theme to it, but unlike some other shows in the same category, it is easy to follow and actually proves to you that not all Vampires are all of the blood sucking and killing kind, some actually do have a heart and can try to live their life to a normal level.
source |
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
Synopsis:
Set in the small town of Rosewood, the series follows the lives of four girls, Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, andEmily Fields, whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their leader, Alison DiLaurentis. One year later, the estranged friends are reunited as they begin receiving messages from a mysterious figure named "A", who threatens to expose their deepest secrets, including ones they thought only Alison knew. At first, they think it's Alison herself, but after her body is found, the girls realize that someone else is planning on ruining their lives. - source
Probably the most talked about series of the year for young people, Pretty Little Liars is a show I got into in 2011, so I was quite early on the hype of this show and for someone who comes from the UK, since they don't show it on TV over here or you can only watch it on Netflix. But out of all the shows I have mentioned in the post, Pretty Little Liars is definitely my most favourite show.
I was literally hooked from the word go really. It is just so inciting and exciting. You literally get so hooked, that you even end up making your own theories to questions like 'Who Killed Alison', Where did Alison go' or 'Who actually is -A'. I never thought I would be so intrigued by a mystery thriller before, but with this show I seriously am. Even though it is a thriller, it's more creepy that terrifying, so don't worry about not thinking this is for you if you get scared easily, because it's not scary at all!
And again, I will just put a warning out there, HOT GUY'S ALERT!!!!!
This is a must see show. The hype is so worth it. I have been watching this 2011 and I have not looked back since. I would so encourage you to watch it. You will not be disappointed....
source |
TEEN WOLF
Synopsis:
The series revolves around social outcast Scott McCall, a high school student living in the town of Beacon Hills. Scott's life drastically changes when he is bitten by a werewolf the night before sophomore year, becoming one himself. He must henceforth learn to balance his problematic new identity with his day-to-day teenage life. The following characters are instrumental to his struggle: Stiles Stilinski, his human best friend; Allison Argent, his first love interest who comes from a family of werewolf hunters; Lydia Martin, a banshee and Allison's best friend; and Derek Hale, a mysterious werewolf with a dark past. Along the way, he encounters characters who shape him into a stronger werewolf and better person: Jackson, a bully from his high school; Malia Tate, a were-coyote and Kira Yukimura; a Japanese fox spirit. Throughout the series, he strives to keep his loved ones safe while maintaining normal relationships with them. - source
I first started watching this show back in 2012, so again it was quite early on. The first season is quite cringe and teeny, but I feel like the more the show goes on it get's so much better. So if you decide to watch it, then bare in mind that it does get a lot better as it goes on. Because of this, season 2 and 3 happen to be my favourite series out of them all. It is literally so good and gripping. I love it so much. You really see so much character development in this TV show, I think that it's quite good at reflecting real life situations, such as growing up and going through high school.
I really believe this show needs a lot more credit and views. It is honestly so good. It's funny but also dramatic. It has supernatural elements to it obviously being based on a 'Teen Wolf'. It has some creepy and sometimes scary parts to it, but like Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries it's nothing too bad that you can't actually watch it.
What are some of your favourite TV shows to watch?
I'd love to know any recommendation's on some new shows that I could watch.
Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin here and never miss a post!!!
Since I've never done a favourites post before, I thought I would share with you some of the things that I have been loving through out the month of November. I always love reading other people's favourite posts or watching their monthly favourite video's. I've decided to include a mixture of different things that I've been loving through November, ranging from some beauty products to my favourite apps and music albums.
Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo:
I mentioned this shampoo in my 'hair care and styling routine' post last week and the reason why I am showing it again is because I really am enjoying using it. It has made my hair feel so soft and smooth. I'm actually really impressed with it and it has definitely made me want to try more from the 'Ultimate Blends' range that Garnier have brought out. Plus this shampoo smells amazing and makes my hair smell just as good! I love it.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water:
This product has been really hyped and raved about by beauty bloggers over the past year or so. I thought it was about time I jumped on this bandwagon and saw what all the fuss was about. Because I was trying it for the first time, I decided to go with a mini bottle just in case I didn't like it and then wouldn't have to waste a big bottle.
However, I was really surprised at how good this cleansing water was. I'm not really someone who purchases a lot of cleansing products, so I don't have much to compare it with. But I was impressed with how it removed most of my make-up and how quickly it also did. I sometimes find with using make-up wipes, that it takes a lot longer time to remove the make-up as you end up going over the same place a few time to make sure it has all come off. But with the Micellar water it was coming off with ease and quickly. For a cleansing water between £1-£2 depending on what offers are on at the time, you can't really go wrong with it due to the affordability, can you?
The Balm - Mary-Lou Manizer:
This product is literally my new holy grail! I am so in love with it. I was so lucky to be able to pick this up in my local Superdrug store before it sold out. I had seen so many positive comments about this highlighter that I really just had to try it out for myself. I am so glad I did because it is such a good highlighter. It is such a gorgeous shade, it gives the right amount of glow to your skin and works wonders on fairer skin tones. I would highly recommend this highlighter to anyone!
I'm thinking about doing a more in depth review of Mary-Lou, so if you would like to read that, then please let me know!
Alien Perfume by Thierry Mugler:
I had my eye on this perfume for such a long time. Last Christmas I was lucky enough to receive it as a gift. Since then I have been using it sparsely because I really don't want to waste it. I tend to wear it more during this time of the year (autumn/winter). I feel like the scent is more suited this time of the year as opposed to the spring/summer where you have more fruity scents. Alien is more of a toned down floral scent with hints of jasmine and musk. It's very feminine and classy in my opinion. Also it is a really long lasting perfume, it has lasted pretty much the whole day on me before and it is definitely worth the price tag!
One Direction - Made In The A.M:
If you know me, you'll know how much I love One Direction and how I have been a big fan of these boys since the beginning, when they were on the X Factor and I was a massive Liam girl. Now fast forward five years and they're onto their fifth album. I seriously cannot believe how far they have come and how much they have already achieved in the first five years of their career. I am so unbelievably proud of them and this album, so of course I had to include it in my November favourites.
I really feel like 'Made In The A.M' has really given them a chance to prove themselves and to really find their style of music that they want to make. Just like every album they have produced, I love all the songs and I always find myself singing along to them even when I'm not even listening to the album. Some of my favourites include Temporary Fix, End Of The Day, Never Enough, Olivia, History, Made In The A.M and Walking In The Wind. As you can probably tell, that's a lot of favourites from just one album, but if I could I would have probably listed every single song on the album that's how much I am in love with it!
The only downside I feel to this album is that I won't hear it on a tour within the next year. Every year since X Factor, I have been to see them and it just feel's weird that I haven't got tickets to see them. I don't know how long it will be till I hear them sing these songs off the new album live, but I really hope that it won't be too long till they come back from their well earned break.
Instagram:
Even though I have been on Instagram for a few years now, the past few months or so I've been trying really hard to up my game on there with regards to the photo's I'm posting and promoting my blog on this social platform. Therefore, I decided to include it in my November favourites for that reason. I hit 200 follows during this month, which to some people I know isn't a lot, but for someone who has been stuck on the 130 mark for such a long time, I felt happy that I was able to move forward and build on my followers.
I love using Instragram to check out what other people are doing or loving at the moment, it gives me a chance to also share what I am up to, as well as promote my latest blog posts to an audience. Also I love checking out other bloggers Instagram's to see what their latest posts are and it also gives me the opportunity to find new bloggers to follow, check out there blog's and communicate with. Instagram is such a good marketing platform, but also so much fun to get involved with.
I'm always on the hunt for new profiles to follow, so feel free to leave a comment below with your @ name on Instagram. I'll be sure to check it out. Please also check out my own Instagram @laaaureeen__ or click here.
What are some of your favourites from this month? Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned above? Are you a fan of One Direction or a lover of Instagram?
I'd love to hear from you,
Thanks so much for reading,
Follow me on Bloglovin here and never miss a post!